Kristi Fuller, research associate with the Georgia Health Policy Center, presented the poster "Are Money Follows the Person Program Participants Better Off? A Pre- Post- Analysis of Quality of Life" at the American Society on Aging Conference in Washington, DC.

1. Are Money Follows the Person Program
Participants Better Off?
A Pre- Post- Analysis of Quality of Life
Kristi Fuller, MSW; Lillian Haley, PhD, MSW; Brittney Romanson, MPH; and Glenn M. Landers, MBA, MHA
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE CONCLUSIONS
To evaluate the quality of life of Money Follows the Person Additionally, fewer participants living in the community With an intended outcome of providing individuals with
(MFP) program participants before transition and one year reported that they had to go without a bath, meal, or the choice of community living with appropriate supports
after transition at the state level. medicine when they needed it. At the post-transition and services, the MFP program has attempted to remove
survey, participants reported that they had increased many barriers in order to achieve this goal successfully.
access to do the things that they wanted to do outside of The 183 MFP program participants in Georgia included in
STUDY DESIGN the facility or home, and a 26 percent decrease was seen in this analysis indicated that there were many areas where
This study analyzed the results of quality of life surveys participants stating that they have to miss things or they were exerting increased choice and control, realizing
that were conducted prior to transition from a nursing change their plans due to an inability to get around. more access to medical care and the ability to schedule
home or intermediate care facility, and again plans without having to change them. These participants
approximately one year after transition to a community also suggest that some barriers remain with regard to
However, there were multiple indications that the
setting. The pre-transition surveys were primarily accessing social activities and a feeling of community
participants had less community integration or inclusion
conducted in-person, and the post-transition surveys were integration which is reflected in that fewer participants
post-transition. For example, at the follow-up there was a
primarily conducted by telephone. Surveys were reported doing fun things in the community and more
14 percent increase in the number of participants that
completed either by the participant, a proxy, or the reported feeling sad or blue during the past week.
stated that they could not see friends and family when
participant with assistance.
they wanted to and the percentage of participants
indicating that they go out to do fun things in the
IMPLICATIONS FOR POLICY
POPULATION STUDIED community dropped by 23 percent. Potentially reflective
of these limitations, there was an increase in the The results of this study indicate that the MFP program
The study population included Money Follows the Person post-transition responses measuring sadness (+8%), participants have improved quality of life post-transition.
program participants in Georgia that completed a irritability (+9%), and aches and pains (+8%) in the past To further improve outcomes post-transition, state level
pre-transition survey and a post-transition follow-up week. Despite some of the challenges denoted above, program policy could focus on social outlets and
survey from January 2009 through December 2011. A total when asked if the participants were happy with the way community integration. This may include the provision of
of 206 participants had matched surveys during this time the lived their lives, 5 percent more participants were educational opportunities, work or volunteer placement,
period, but 23 respondents had passed away, thus a total happy after the transition. increased emphasis on peer support, added flexibility in
of 366 surveys from two time points were analyzed. transportation services, and family meetings that elucidate
realistic expectations of support and interactions with
FIGURE 1: COMPARISON OF RESPONSES TO family and friends. In some cases, additional services could
PRINCIPAL FINDINGS SELECTED SURVEY QUESTIONS be considered as reimbursable under the program, and in
As expected, a significant decrease in the number of others additional assessments or planning prior to
people living in group homes or nursing homes is transition may be useful. Further, funding for infrastructure
observed post-transition. In fact, at the follow-up there such as affordable housing and transportation could
was a 53 percent increase in those reporting that they had improve the number of successful transitions. Finally, it
a choice in where they live, and a 33 percent increase in should be recognized that the MFP program service
participants stating that they liked where they live. The period lasts 365 days, thus while the program has great
participants also reported an increased ability to make opportunity for improving quality of life, the impact of
choices and have control of scheduling meals, bed time overlapping long-term care programs such as Medicaid
and having privacy when they chose to. and non-Medicaid home and community based services
should be considered.
For more information, contact the Georgia At both time points nearly all participants reported
Health Policy Center at 404.413.0314 or visit us receiving help with bathing, dressing or preparing meals,
online at www.gsu.edu/ghpc. often by someone who was paid to help them. However, RESEARCH FUNDERS
at the post-transition follow-up there was a 35 percent The Georgia Department of Community Health through
increase in the number of participants stating that they grant funding received from the Centers for Medicare and
ANDREW YOUNG SCHOOL picked the people who were paid to help them. Medicaid Services.
OF POLICY STUDIES